Injection apparatus



June 1, 1954 E, Y 2,679,843

INJECTION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

[rim/n H May BY HLTUPA/EXS June 1, 1954 E. A. MAY

INJECTION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17 1950 INVENTOR. lulu/'11 E flay HTTU/P/VEYS June 1, 1954 E. A. MAY 2,679,843

INJECTION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 17, 1950 5 sheets sheet 3 p H i .l

I IIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 27 23 IN V EN TOR.

Ida/('11 A. flay BY Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEINJECTION AiPPARATUS Application January 17, 1950, Serial No. 139,052

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improvedapparatus for the hypodermic injection of medicaments.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a device of this type bymeans of which a solution or medicine may be injected into a patientwith substantially no pain being experienced by that patient; theapparatus being of relatively simple design, capable of ready operationby the physician or technician and all necessary parts of the assemblybeing capable of ready sterilization so that injections may be effectedwith no danger of infection resulting.

A further object is that of furnishing an assembly of parts whichcontain the solution or medicament and which parts will be sterile andcapable of being readily placed in operative association with theremainder of the apparatus by the person using the latter; the removalof the used assembly being also readily achieved by a relativelyunskilled person.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the inventionand in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of the apparatus with the parts in theirinitial positions;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken along the lines 22 and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the disposition ofthe elements when the device is partially discharged;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the positions which theseveral units of the device assume at a stage intermediate thoseillustrated in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the upper portion of analternative form of apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of one form of ampule assembly which maybe provided;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing a further alternativeform of apparatus;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a control which may forma part of the unit as shown in Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 9-9 and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 8.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the apparatus may include a casing ill to theforward. end of which a loading cap I5 is attached. Such attachment isconveniently provided by a relatively coarse thread, a bayonet couplingor other suitable connection by means of which the parts may readily beattached or detached and which, when coupled, serves to prevent anaccidental displacement of the parts. The body It is furnished with arearward extension 12 and its outer end is closed by a cap It. All ofthese several units are preferably formed of suitable metal althoughother materials might be employed.

Within the casing It and preferably adjacent the lower or inner end ofthe same, there is provided an electromagnet i l, the energization ofwhich is controlled by a switch disposed within a casing I5 and fromwhich an actuator extends outwardly beyond the casing face.Electromagnet is controls the shifting of an armature it which isnormally maintained in retracted position by a spring ll. Adjacent thatend of the casing which is defined by the loading cap I! a medicamentchamber is furnished. In view of the fact that it is preferred,according to the present teachings, to have the medicament within areplaceable ampule assembly, the inner end of the chamber may be definedby a stop member in the form of a ring l8 which limits inward movementsof the ampule. The loading cap H is furnished with an opening throughwhich the outer end of the ampule assembly may extend.

The preferred form of that assembly is shown in its packaged conditionin Fig. 6. In that view the numeral 29 indicates an ampule or tube,preferably of glass, although other suitable materials which are inertto the solution or medicament employed, might be utilized. One end ofthis ampule is closed by a stopper 2! which is preferably formed withaligned recesses in its opposite faces and is of the piston type. Theopposite end of the ampule is closed by a stopper 22 which, as shown,may be shouldered to extend outwardly in overlapping relationship withrespect to the edge of the ampule body 20 and which preferably is formedwith a recess 23 in its inner face. This recess has a depth slightlyless than the depth of the stopper 22. A stylet or epidermis penetratingelement 24 extends through the stopper 2| into the recess 23. A casing25 may enclose the assembly and be provided with a cap 26. Themedicament is contained within the ampule between stoppers 2! and 22.The stylet and other parts of the assembly are, of course, sterilized.This sterilization is maintained until the physician or technician opensthe container 25 and removes the assembly therefrom. It is in manyrespects preferred that in the interests of maintaining the partssterile, the pointed end of the stylet be disposed as illustrated ratherthan being packaged to have the stylet extend through to the outer faceof stopper 22. Of course in lieu of glass the ampule body 29 might beformed of a suitable metal such as stainless steel.

As will be apparent from an examination of Figs. 1, 3, and d, themedicament chamber of th apparatus has an area such that it accommodatesth ampul assembly. When the loading cap II is applied, that assemblywill be firmly maintained in position adjacent the inner or lower end ofthe device. Also as shown in these views, a shell 21 conveniently ofmetal may extend beyond the outer face of stopper 22. This shell mayeither be considered as forming a part of the ampule assembly, althoughit has not been so shown in Fig. 6, or else may be a part of thepermanent apparatus. In the latter instance, it canwith suitablesterilizationbe repeatedly re-used.

The inner or lower end of armature l6 terminates in a preferably reducedportion 23, the diameter of which is substantially equal to or slightlyless than th diameter of piston stopper 2|. A shoulder 29 may beprovided adjacent the reduced portion 28 and contact with the stop orring [8 to arrest inward movement of the armature. The length of thereduced portion 28 is conveniently equivalent to the distance throughwhich stopper 2| may be shifted in order to contact the inner face ofstopper 22. It is preferred that armature It be hollow and formed withan opening in the face of its reduced portion 23 and thrgugh which therear end of stylet 24 may exten As shown especially in Fig. 4, the boreof the armature slidably mounts an assembly of gripping jaws 30. Thelatter in Figs. 1 to 4 are preferably integral with each other and areformed of resilient material. They define a socket or gripping chamber,the inner face of which is formed with teeth. The jaws may terminate inoutwardly extending flange portions 3|. This assembly is encircled by aconstricting sleeve 32; the adjacent faces of the sleeve and assemblybeing conveniently tapered as shown so that when the sleeve is in theposition illustrated in Fig. 4, the jaws will define a receiving chamberof minimum area. A spring 33 of the constriction type has one endsecured to the jaws 30 or parts adjacent the same. Its opposite end isattached within the outer or upper end of a tube 34. This tube iscontinued in the form of an actuating rod 35 extending through andbeyond the cap I 3. Adjacent the free end of the rod, a knob 36 issecured which conveniently is formed with outwardly flaring surfaces.Rod 35 is formed with a groove 3! which is especially shown in Fig. 1,is encircled by a spring Washer 38.

A latch 39 is pivotally mounted by armature It as at 40. A spring 4|bears against on end of this latch so that its second end or arm isnormally urged inwardly. The bore of the casing is formed with a cam orinclined surface 62 for cooperation with the outer arm of latch 39. Atthis time it is also to be noted that the bore of armature it ispreferably formed with a shoulder 43 adjacent the lower or inner end oftube 34. The armatur bore beyond the shoulder 43 is of adequate diameterto accommodate the tube 34. Also it will accommodate the base end of thechuck jaw assembly 30.

Considering the operation of the device as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, itwill be assumed that the parts are in their initial position as shown inFig. 1. To obtain this result the loading cap II or its equivalent willhave been dismounted and the ampule assembly will have been insertedinto the medicament chamber. Under such insertion the stylet 24 willhave its inner or rear end pass through the opening in the lower face ofthe extension or reduced portion 28 of the armature to a point at whichit is received in the space defined by the jaws 30. The inner end of thestylet or needle is now gripped by the chuck incident to a manipulationof the parts as hereinafter described. Either previously or at this timethe loading cap will have been remounted. At the time of remounting asterile shell or outer element 21 will have been positioned in operativerelationship to the ampule assembly as shown in Fig. 1 and in the eventthat this outer member did not already form a part of the assembly. Thephysician having determined the area to be injected, he will dispose theapparatus in line with that area and with the element 21 contacting thesame. At this time it will be appreciated that in lieu of the convexshape incorporated in that element, different configurations might beemployed and which are best suited to intimately contact the surface ofthe patients skin. In any event with the actuator of switch l5 nowoperated, armature it will be rapidly projected against the action ofspring ll. In such projection it will carry with it the rod 35, tube 34and jaw assembly 30. Therefore, stylet 24 will likewise be projected topenetrate that portion of stopper 22 which intervenes between the baseof recess 23 of the latter and its outer face. Of course if penetrationor perforation of this stopper has been resorted to at the time ofmanufacture of th ampule assembly, then the stylet need not breakthrough the stopper end wall.

As the stylet projects its outer end will penetrate the epidermis andthe underlying tissues to the desired depths. Such depths will dependupon the length of the stylet and the proportioning of the several partsof the apparatus. As the armature l6 projects it carries with it thelatch 39, the inner arm of which overlies the chuck assembly. Thisprevents the latter from being retracted by the action of spring 33.When the outer arm of latch 39 reaches a position corresponding to thedepths to which the stylet is to be imbeclded or penetrated into theflesh of the patient, cam surface 42 will be engaged and the outer armof the latch will be rocked inwardly against the action of spring 4|.This position of the parts has been shown in Fig. 4. Consequently theinner end of latch 33 will be retracted to clear the clutch assembly andthe latter will be free to move rearwardly under the influence of spring33. With the chuck jaws 30 free from restraint by the latch 33 thelatter moves rearwardly or upwardly thus retracting the stylet 24. Itwill be appreciated that the tension spring 33 need not exert materialforce to effect this result because the stylet will ordinarily involve adimension of around .015". Therefore, its frictional contact with thetissues and the surfaces of stoppers 22 and 2! will be negligible. Theretraction of the parts will continue until they have reached thepositions shown in Fig. 3. In that view it will be observed that thepoint of the stylet has been withdrawn wholly into the ampule assemblyand the chuck jaws have had their face portions enter into the borebeyond the shoulder 43. Consequently, the sleeve or collar 32 will havebeen engaged by the shoulder and have moved relatively to the jaws to apoint where its further movement is prevented by engagement with theflange or stop portion 3|. Under these circumstances and due to theresiliency of the jaw assembly, the end of the stylet will be released.This will, of course, occur only after the stylet has been completelywithdrawn to a position where its pointed end portion is preferablywholly within the body of the ampule as shown in Fig. 3.

Switch i5 is of that type which when once closed will have a delayedrelease or opening. Thus, even if the physician only operates theactuator of the switch for an instant, the circuit through theelectro-magnet i l will remain closed for a substantial period of time.This may be approximately one to two seconds. Therefore, armature itwill continue to advance despite the retraction of the stylet. In suchadvance its forward portion 28 will engage the piston stopper 2! andadvance the latter through body 28. Consequently medicament will beexpressed under pressure through the recess 23 which has now become abore and through the shell or supporting element Zl if the latter isemployed. With the parts properly disposed with respect to the surfaceof the patients skin, the fluid will therefore be forced into the holewhich has been formed through the epidermis and the flesh by theprojection of the stylet 24. When stopper 21 engages stopper 22, furtherexpulsion of the medicament will cease. The parts are preferably soproportioned that at this time the shoulder at of the armature willengage against stop ring id in order to arrest further advance of theparts.

Thereafter, either by release of the actuator of switch [5 or due to thefact that the mechanism which controls the interval of switch [5 hasopened, magnet 54 will be de-energized. Due to the operation of thedetent structure involving groove 3? and washer 38, rod 35 will also beshifted to the position shown in that figure. Spring I! will thereuponreturn the armature [6 to the position shown in Fig. 1. Loading cap Hmay now be dismounted and the spent ampule assembly withdrawn. Stylet 24will be removed with such withdrawal due to the fact that the jaws 38are opened and no longer grip the same. If a shell element such as 2'!is employed, this may be salvaged and sterilized for re-use. The styletmay likewise be cleaned and sterilized. However, it will ordinarily bediscarded as part of the ampule assembly.

The device may now be reloaded. In such reloading a fresh ampuleassembly of the type shown in Fig. 6 is used. The stylet 24 isintroduced through the opening in the base of the reduced portion 28.The loading cap is now again mounted upon body in. Knob 36 is nowprojected. Such projection will cause the detent structure to becomeinoperative. Tube 35 will shift downwardly with respect to armature i6and project through the bore of the same below shoulder s3. Under thesecircumstances, the chuck assembly will also be projected. That assemblywill be loosely encircling the rear end of the stylet. Therefore, theprojection of the parts will primarily result in the jaws shiftingtowards the pointed end of the stylet. This will assure a substantialoverlap of the rear end of that stylet by the chuck. Due to thefrictional engagement existing between sleeve 32 and the walls of thearmature bore that sleeve will now shift rearwardly with respect to thejaws thereby closing them. This closing will cause the stylet to befirmly gripped Continued projection will cause sleeve 32 to overridelatch 39. Consequently the chuck assembly will be maintained inprojected position. Thereafter, knob 3d and rod 35 may be retracteduntil the detent or clutch become operative. Under these circumstancesthe parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 1. Due to the flaredstructure of knob 36 there will be no likelihood of an operator becominginjured incident to having his finger in the way of the knob when thedevice is energized and the armature is projected.

A structure may be provided in which the knob and parts directlyconnected therewith do not move with respect to the body of theapparatus excepting only during loading operations. Such an arrangement"of parts has been shown in 5 in which structures substantially identicalwith those heretofore described have been identified by similarnumerals. However, in this form of device it will be noted that in lieuof the end cap I 3 for the casing 10 an end cap is is provided which inturn supports a second cap or plug member 45. Between these units aclutch or detent member in the form of a split ring 46 is disposed. Thiscooperates with a groove 48 formed in a sleeve or tube 49 having at itsouter end a knob 50. A tension spring 5| has its upper end secured as at41 adjacent the outer end of the tube bore. Its lower end is coupledwith the inner arms of a pair of jaws 52 which are pivotallyinterconnected as at 53. This pivot is preferably mounted by a tubesection or collar 54 with which the latch 39 cooperates.

As is apparent with an apparatus of this nature energization of theelectro-magnet causes movement of the armature Hi to project the styletas afore-described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4. During suchprojection the stylet will be firmly gripped by the jaws providing thechuck. Under such movement of the parts the tension on spring 5| will beincreased. When latch 39 releases the collar 54 the latter will moveupwardly with the jaws and carry with it the stylet. During theseseveral movements, tube 49 will. not shift in that it is held by theclutch furnished by the split ring 46.

As the spring 5! shifts the parts to their upper limit of movement, theextended or arm portions of the jaws 52 will strike against the shoulder43. This will result in an opening or pivoting of the jaws and releaseof the stylet. As the ampule assembly which has been discharged isremoved and a new assembly positioned as heretofore described, then anoperator may cook the device. This is achieved by exerting thrustagainst knob 50 to an extent such that the detent structure provided bythe clutch 46 releases. Therefore, tube 49 may be projected carryingwith it the jaw or chuck assembly to a point at which the rear end ofthe stylet enters the space defined by those jaws. With such movement ofthe parts the spring 5i will be tensioned to an increasing extent.Finally the latch 33 will overlie the collar 54 of the chuck assemblyand retain the latter as shown in Fig. 5. Thereupon tube 39 may beretracted to a point where the parts assume positions as shown in thatfigure. Under these circumstances the tension exerted by spring 5! actsagainst the rear arms or extensions of the jaws to thus bring theirgripping surfaces into contact with the stylet so that the apparatus isagain ready for operation. As will be apparent in this type of device,no movement of the tube 49 occurs excepting only when it is manuallyshifted by the operator.

In the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 7, a casing 55 conveniently ofmetal is employed. Within the latter an armature 56 is slidably mounted.This armature in accordance with conventional technique is preferably ofiron. A portion 51 provides at its end jaws 58. These may correspond tothe jaw assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 4 or in Fig. 5. The part 51 ispreferably constructed of brass or some other material which is notsubject to magnetic attraction. A spring 59 may normally maintainarmature 56 in raised or retracted position. An electromagnet 60 isdisposed in operative relationship to the armature.

A second armature 6! is disposed within casing 55 and is hollow toslidably receive the extension or portion 51. The lower end of armature6| may terminate in a flange portion 62 having a diameter substantiallyequal to or slightly less than that of piston stopper 2!. Anelectro-magnet 63 controls the projection of armature 8!. A springfi'normally maintains that armature in. retracted position. In this formof device an ampule of the type heretofore described is employed and hasbeen shown with its parts identified by similar numerals. Adjacent theampule assembly, an opening 65 may be formed in body 55 which serves asa window through which the interior of the ampule may be viewed if thelatter has body 20 formed of transparent material. The operation of theunit as illustrated is governed by a control generally indicated at 66.

The structure embodied in this control has been shown in detail in Figs.8 and 9. In these views the numeral 56 indicates a casing, the face ofwhich is closed by a cover 61. A spring pressed plunger 68 is mounted bythat cover and supports on its inner end a spring-biased latch 69. Thelatter cooperates with a switch Hi from which leads H extend to theelectro-magnet 6!) and a power source. Slidably mounted by cover Bl isan actuator 12, the motion of which is resisted by a spring 13. Apreferably square shank extends from this actuator through an opening inthe cover and carries at its inner end an element [4. The latter isengageable with an actuating element 15 controlling the mechanism of aswitch within casing 16. l' his switch in common with the switchesforming part of the units illustrated in Figs. 1 to inclusive, ispreferably of the hold-in type. In other words, after its actuatingelement [5 is once operated, the mechanism of the switch will remainclosed for a desired interval of time. switch is a lead 'i'l connectedto electro-magnet 63 and a source of current supply.

If the apparatus is combined with an ampule assembly as shown in Fig.'7, it is apparent that by shifting actuator 12 downwardly, as viewed inFig. 8, the spring pressed plunger 68 will be projected to cause itslatch 69 to close the elements of switch i9. Thereafter these elementswill open as the spring which projects plunger 68 carries the latch 69beyond the switch 10. This will cause a rapid projection of armature 56and the stylet 24. Thus, an opening or bore will be formed through theepidermis into the underlying tissue. Due to the afore-describedinterruption of the circuit by the opening of the elements of switch 10,this action will be followed by an immediate retraction of the armatureand stylet due to the action of spring 59.

' Continued movements of actuator 12 will cause element 15 to be shiftedto close the mechanism Extending from this of the switch within casing16. When this occurs, electro-magnet 63 will be energized to cause ashifting of armature 6|. The lower end of the armature will bear againstpiston-stopper 2| to express medicament through the orifice which wasformed in stopper 22 by the stylet 24. Due to the fact that themechanism of switch 16 remains closed for an appreciable interval oftime, energization of electro-magnet 63 will continue for a periodadequate to assure that stopper 2! has shifted to a position at whichsubstantially all fluid has been exhausted from the ampule assembly.

As the armature 56 is retracted, it carries with it the stylet 24.Thereupon it releases that stylet by an action of the mechanism similarto that heretofore described in connection with the earlier figures.With the medicament discharged, loading cap H may be dismounted, thespent ampule may be discarded and a new ampule disposed within themedicament chamber of the unit. In the interim, actuator i2, under theinfiuence of spring 13, will have returned to a position at which itengages the side face of spring pressed plunger 68 when the pressure ofthe operators finger on the actuator is once released. Conveniently atthis time the operator will have retracted spring pressed plunger 68which, when it is fully retracted, will permit actuator 12 to reach itsfully retracted position as shown in Fig. 8. By this construction therewill be no danger of an accidental and undesired projection of thestylet occurring.

From the foregoing it will be understood that in the several illustratedforms, an apparatus is furnished which may be used on a patient with thelatter either experiencing no pain or else a very reduced level of pain.This is because of the speed of operation with which the opening or boreis formed through the epidermis into the tissue and the speed with whichthe stylet or needle is withdrawn from that opening. Moreover, the smalldiameter of the stylet or needle will additionally serve to minimize thepain. The formation of the desired medicament-receiving bore in theflesh is followed immediately by the discharge of medicament underpressure into that bore; the entire operation being automatic. Anoperator will only have to instantaneously operate the control for theapparatus if the latter be of the hold-in type as heretofore described.The ampule assembly may be delivered to the physician in completelysterile condition and thereupon discarded. No parts of the apparatusrequire sterilization excepting only if a shell such as 2! is employedand salvaged or if the stylet is reused. In that event sterilization isa relatively simple matter.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specificallyaforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction andrearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. An injection apparatus including a casing formed with an opening,needle clutching means within said casing comprising a plurality of jawsof resilient material integral with each other, power means for movingsaid jaws and a needle gripped thereby to project the latter throughsaid opening and to thereupon retract said needle, means functioningupon said retraction to release said jaws from gripping engagement with.said needle and means movable with said jaws for reestablishing thegripping relationship of the latter.

2. An injection apparatus including in combination a hollow body, aprojectible assembly within the same, needle ripping means forming apart of said assembly, means for moving said assembly to project aneedle mounted by said gripping means to a point beyond said casing,means for retracting said gripping means and releasing means carried bysaid body and cooperative with said gripping means for rendering thelatter inoperative to retain a needle after said retracting means haswithdrawn said gripping means a predetermined distance.

3. An injection apparatus includingin combination a hollow body, aprojectible assembly within the same, needle gripping means forming apart of said assembly, means for moving said assembly to project aneedle mounted by said gripping means to a point beyond said casing,means and connected to said gripping means and disposed Within said bodyfor retracting said gripping means with respect to the same andreleasing means connected to shift with said movin means during theprojection of said needle to disconnect said gripping means from saidmoving means and rendering said retracting means operative.

4. An injection apparatus including in combination a hollow body, aprojectible assembly within the same, needle gripping means forming apart of said assembly, means for moving said assembly to project aneedle mounted by said gripping means to a point beyond said casing,means for retracting said gripping means, means within said body forrendering said gripping means inoperative and releasing a needle grippedthereby after said retracting means has withdrawn it a pre-determinedamount, a support for a medicament chamber associated with said body andsaid assembly movin adjacent said support to expel medicament from achamber associated therewith.

5. An injection apparatus including in combination a casing, areleasable ampule support associated with said casing, means projectibleWithin said casing to cooperate with an ampule mounted by said supportto expel medicament therefrom, needle projecting and retracting means,needle gripping means carried by said latter means, control meansoperable to assure an initial projection and retraction of said needlemeans, means for rendering said gripping means inoperative to retain aneedle upon retraction having been completed and means for causing anoperative association of said projecting means With a supported ampule.

6. An injection apparatus including in combination a casing, areleasable ampule support associated with said casing, means projectiblewithin said casing to cooperate with an ampule mounted by said supportto expel medicament therefrom, needle projecting and retracting m s Supprt d by said casing, control means operable to assure an initialprojection and retraction of said latter means and a subsequentoperative association of said projecting means with a supported ampule,a medicament and needle containing ampule associated with said supportand needle gripping means forming a part of said needle projecting andretracting means.

'7. An injection apparatus including in combination a tubular bodyhaving an open end, a needle-gripping chuck projectible within said bodyfor moving a needle beyond the open end of the same, power meansconnected to said chuck for effecting such projection, means alsoconnected to said chuck for efiecting retraction thereof and meansformin a part of said apparatus and cooperative with said chuck duringsuch retraction for automatically releasing a needle gripped thereby.

8. An injection apparatus including in combination a tubular body havinan open end, a needle-gripping chuck projectible within said body formoving a needle beyond the open end of the same, power means connectedto said chuck for eifecting such projection, means also connected tosaid chuck for effecting retraction thereof, a latch interposed betweenand providing the connection of said power means and chuck, meanscarried by said body and cooperative with said latch during theoperation of said power means to release said latch and cause saidretracting means to withdraw said chuck and means formin a part of saidapparatus and cooperative with said chuck during such retraction toautomatically release a needle gripped thereby.

9. An injection apparatus according to claim 19 and in which saidneedle-grippin means comprises a pair of jaws pivotally coupled to eachother and means disposed adjacent said jaws and shiftable with respectto the same to cause them to assume a gripping position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 464,801 OReilly Dec. 8, 1891 473,207 Carey Apr. 19, 1892768,413 Wagner Aug. 23, 1904 1,867,355 Fletcher July 12, 1932 1,881,963Perrin Oct. 11, 1932 2,175,365 Safiir Oct. 10, 1939 2,322,244 LockhartJune 22, 1943 2,390,246 Foldman Dec. 4, 1945 OTHER REFERENCES Pamphletof Howard Johnson E. and E. Inc. of 210 Shenandoah Building, Roanoke,Va. Received in Div. 55 of the Patent Ofiice December 7, 1949. 4 pagesof which pages 2 and 3 are cited.

